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February 25, 2009

If you must know, I love Anthropologie. Despite the fact that there is no storefront where I live. Despite the fact that I have yet to purchase one garment from them. If I had a dime for every time I've drooled over their website....I'd have enough to buy a sweater. And hey, if you know Anthropologie that's a lot!

So, when oogling their site I often find myself thinking of ways I can alter my own clothes to look like a piece I have seen. I call it- Anthropolification. Some of them have actually come out fantastic. Some....not so much. But I thought why not share what I have attempted with all of you. This is hopefully the first of many Anthropolification how-to giveaway posts.

Below is the Boyer Cream Cardi. It currently retails at Anthropologie for $118. To the left is my version. It's basically a black button down short sleeved sweater with crochet lace trim in three thick layers.

To recreate this look, I went out to my local department store and bought a plain black cardigan on sale. The only ones I could find at discount were too large and had long sleeves. Not exactly what I wanted. BUT, if you're brave you ignore the obvious errors and take a chance.I bought the garment and took it home. Once I got it into my sewing room and onto my dress form I pinned the extra fabric on the sides to fit my shape. I then ran it through my sewing machine and used a very tight stitch since I didn't want the sweater material to unravel. I then cut the sleeves to the same length as the Anthropologie sweater and hemmed the cuff.

Later I took a trip down to my local fabric store and bought 9 yards of white crochet lace similar to the ones used by Knitted & Knotted and pinned them to the cardigan in hanging rows. One around the neckline, one from shoulder to shoulder, one around the waist and finally two around the cuffs. My trim was slightly smaller than the Boyer Cardi, so I doubled the flower trim to thicken the look.Anthropologie pairs it with a pair of Grey Linen Gauchos. I didn't have any of those but I used a pair of dark grey linen pants I bought at Forever 21.

The ear rings I wore matched this sweater perfectly! They are also from Forever 21. They no longer sell them but you can find similar ones at Manic Trout.

The finished sweater is about a size small to extra small.

In all, the total cost to make this sweater was $6. No lie. I'll admit that up close it's not exactly the same. But from a distance I think it came out pretty parallel. And who doesn't like to save $112 dollars?

If anyone has their own Anthropolification request just leave a comment with the name of the Anthropologie garment and I'll see if it's feasible.Look for more giveaways this week!

Last day for posts is Friday 3/08/09.Winnerwill be announced Tuesday!

As usual, if you would like a chance to win this sweaterjust link back to this post. If you have any questions see the "questions and answers" link to the right. If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post.

If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.Create a Link

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I am in love. What a superb way of turning something unaffordable into a lovely make-at-home treasure. You have done such a good job. I could totally see myself perusing my own library decked out in Anthropolification:P I would love, love, love to win---and am linking back to your site as soon as this is posted.I have a feeling that if you lived nearby, we would be fast friends...thanks for being so inspiring.

Um the use of the Anthropolification got me hooked right there! I linked to the blog immediately. I hope to see more and more Anthropolifications here because I just can't afford the store I just lust after everything and hope that one day I can afford something from there! Please more more!!

I am so excited that you did this! I have thought about trying before, but I haven't been brave enough. Usually I love their dresses. Right now I like the "Road Ahead Dress." I can never find material like they use. I can't believe they are charging $58 for leggings! I got mine for $6 at Target and they are great! I also like the "Palentine Capelet" as well.

The second I read "Anthropologie" in your blog I was like, "AHHHHH, that's so cute!" I'm just like you, I constantly adore their clothes but will never have the money to afford them :/ But your Anthopoli-fication looks really really nice! Ha you got me all excited now. Anyways, I just posted the link up on my blog.

Oh, and I would love you with all my heart if you could make an Anthropolification of this in coral:http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=3131330484868024853&id=910066&parentid=APP_SWEATERS_CARDIGANS&pushId=APP_SWEATERS&prepushId=APP_SWEATERS_CARDIGANS&popId=APPAREL&sortProperties=%2BmarketingPriority%2C-saleDate&navCount=14&navAction=poppushpush&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=cor&colorName=CORAL

I can't fit into a small but I just wanted to let you know how jealous I am of your creativity! I am in the same boat as you as far as Anthro goes. I only wish I had your talent for creating my own. But at that cost you aren't out too much if it bombs!

wow... i am amazed... and inspired! i am obsessed with anthropologie too. the closest one is 8 hours away... although i'm lucky i can go when i visit my parents in dallas. woo hoo! even though it's just window shopping, it's still fun. like you, i don't have much in my closet from the store. too much moolah. the few pieces i do have, i absolutely love, even though they were on the sales racks! ha ha!

this little cardi is so insanely cute, i need to have it!! great job... linking back to you on my blog asap.

Gorgeous! I clicked the link to post on my blog...I hope you can see that I did! My blog is private, however...i hope that doesn't matter? LOVE your creativity and courage to make your own beautiful piece!

"ohmygodohmygodohmygod"... the exact words that came out of my mouth when I saw that first picture of you in the sweater. Seriously? You don't even need a store near you. It looks like you could recreate anything! I'm so jealous.

Kathleen,You know, I just started a little series on my blog with the same concept in mind. I call it anthropologizing (sort of a play on apologizing)- which I really should do, since compared to your creative efforts, mine stuff looks, well, silly. and pathetic. Although, truth be told, I never did say I was talented...

this sweater of yours is absolutely darling! and it's inspirational (i'm currently thinking about what i own that i can transform from blah to amazing, but sadly lack in sewing skills.) thank you for sharing! :)-lara

This looks just like the Anthropologie one! I will have to go through my catalog with a new eye...looking for ways I can upgrade current wardrobe pieces. This was so inspirational! I also love your hair, are those curls natural, or do you use hot rollers.? Ok, I'm off to browse the anthro website, and plug in the hot rollers!!

I visited Anthropologie just today, and saw the stack of these sweaters on the table. There must have been 20 of these! Adorable, yes...but yours is JUST as cute if not cuter. If I don't win yours, I will have to wait for the sale. Keeping my fingers crossed! Will have the link on in a few.

thanks again - I've created a link to this and several other giveaways. I really love what you do - you are so talented, generous and inspiring! I can't thank you enough. I would love to meet you and your family if you are ever in So Cal! take care, vb

This sweater is insanely gorgeous.....I too drool over Anthropologie clothing, but unlike you I don't have a speck of sewing talent. So now I get to drool over Anthropologie AND after your 'anthropolification.' That's two strikes for me, lol. You'll be linked, of course :)

Linking (acupaday.tumblr.com)!! And adding your blog to my reader! I don't even know if I can fit this, but I just want you to know that yours is even more beautiful than the Anthropologie version. I'm INSPIRED.

Love the sweater and I wish with all my heart it would fit me but alas.... But I think it's your photos that totally sell it! You did an amazing job! I had to look twice to make sure you did them and then weren't from the catalog. BEAUTIFUL!!!!

I am in love with this sweater. It is phenomenal, and I WANT it in my closet....NOW...lol. You are soo talented. I found your blog by clicking a twitter link, ending up at someone else's blog, and saw this givewaway there. Now I am determined to win, one of your fabulous creations!

If only I were a small to extra small I would be all over this. I am a medium to extra medium. I LOVE Anthropologie and i do have a store nearby which makes it even more torturous cuz I can't afford a thing in there. Sigh.

I have problem to dress nice I am layback, and I feel bad about it because I know I have good taste but when I dress up I think I am missing something inside of me… but I know that dressing nice make me feel better.